The passing game gets a lot of attention in Josh Heupel‘s offense, but in his three seasons at Tennessee, it is the run game that has put up historic numbers.

Over the last three years, Vols’ running backs have put together the most productive stretch in program history, combining for more than 8,000 yards in 39 games.

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It marks the first time that a Tennessee backfield has produced 2,500-plus yards in three-straight seasons–all of which have been under the direction of running backs coach Jerry Mack.

In Heupel’s first season, the Vols totaled 2,832 rushing yards with an average of 217.8 yards per game, good for second in the SEC and 11th nationally.

Jabari Small led the group with 792 yards, averaging 5.7 yards per carry along with nine touchdowns on 140 carries.

Quarterback Hendon Hooker, who took over as the starter three games into the season, accounted for 620 yards and five touchdowns on 167 carries while transfer running back Tiyon Evans rushed for 525 yards and six scores, including a 156-yard and three touchdown performance in the Vols’ 62-24 win over Missouri that year.

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Even during Tennessee’s 11-win campaign in 2022 when Hooker was putting up astronomical numbers and breaking records every week in the passing game, the Vols were still running the ball effectively.

The numbers took a dip from the year before by 239 yards but Tennessee’s backfield trio of Small, Jaylen Wright and freshman Dylan Sampson helped combine for 2,593 yards.

Their average of 199.5 yards per game finished sixth in the league and ranked 26th in the FBS as Wright took over as the leading rusher with 875 yards and 10 touchdowns on 146 carries.

Small, who finished with 734 yards, led in scoring with 13 touchdowns and Sampson impressed in his first season with just under 400 yards.

After the departure of Hooker and wide receivers Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman, Tennessee’s passing game took a step back in 2023 and the Vols’ leaned heavily on the run as a result.

With Wright, Small and Sampson back, Tennessee rushed for 2,663 yards and finished first in the conference and ninth in the FBS with 204.8 yards per game.

Wright headlined the season, turning in six 113-plus yard rushing games and busted runs of 82, 75 and 52 yards while averaging 7.4 yards per carry. He rushed for 1,013 yards to become Tennessee’s first 1,000-yard rusher since Jalen Hurd in 2015.

Sampson made a major jump from his freshman to sophomore year and essentially moved into the No. 2 spot behind Wright, going for 604 yards and six touchdowns on 106 carries.

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After Wright and Small declared for the NFL Draft, Sampson made his starting debut in the Vols’ Citrus Bowl clash with Iowa. He ran for 133 yards and averaged 6.7 yards every time he touched the ball.

With Sampson expected to be Tennessee’s featured back next season and Cam Seldon, Khalifa Keith and incoming freshman Peyton Lewis making up the rest of the room, the Vols are set up for potentially even more production in 2024.

Tennessee is also set to return a number of starters on its offensive line, including center Cooper Mays and tackle John Campbell Jr. as well as a highly touted transfer portal addition in former five star tackle Zalance Heard.

Quarterback Nico Iamaleava should add an element to the run game, given his ability on design runs and getting out of the pocket, which he displayed in his first career start in the bowl game with three rushing touchdowns.